Support structures and methods of using the same

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, wherein the anvil is selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue. The support structure includes a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft. The body has an outer terminal edge. The support structure includes at least one layer of expandable material disposed at the outer terminal edge of the body.

1. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, comprising:
 a) an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, the anvil being selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and 
 b) a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure including a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft, the body having an outer terminal edge, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at least at the outer terminal edge of the body and configured to expand while in a patient's body, wherein the expandable material of the support structure has an un-expanded condition with an un-expanded dimension and an expanded condition with an expanded dimension greater than the un-expanded dimension, 
 wherein the at least one layer of expandable material comprises a first and a second membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body portion, the first membrane expands in a substantially distal direction, and the second membrane expands in a substantially proximal direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is defined by an inner terminal edge of the body, the inner terminal edge being disposed radially inward of staple receiving slots of a staple cartridge assembly disposed in the tubular body portion. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second membranes is made from a polymeric film. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second membranes is made from polyethylene. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rip-cord for expanding the first and second membranes, the rip-cord being rolled-up into each of the first and second membranes when the support structure is in the undeployed condition. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is perforated. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is porous. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of expandable material expands upon fluid absorption. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is fabricated from at least one of a polyglactic material, a glycolide homopolymer, and a synthetic absorbable lactomer 9-1 material. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is a mesh. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is a fabric. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a wound treatment material. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the wound treatment material is at least one of an adhesive, a sealant, a hemostat, and a medicament. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is compressible so that the outer terminal edge of the body extends beyond the outer radial surface of the anvil and tubular body portion. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the body is fabricated from foam. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the body has a first thickness greater than one quarter of a diameter of the body. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the support structure has an unhydrated condition wherein the body has an un-expanded dimension including a first diameter and a first thickness, and a hydrated condition wherein the body has an expanded dimension including a second diameter greater than the first diameter and a second thickness greater than the first thickness. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the body expands from the first diameter and the first thickness to a second diameter and a second thickness upon application of a fluid thereto. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the body is constructed from a first part of a two-part wound treatment material, and the fluid applied thereto is a second part of the two-part wound treatment material. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, comprising:
 a) an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, the anvil being selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and 
 b) a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure including a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft, the body having an outer terminal edge, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at least at the outer terminal edge of the body and configured to expand while in a patient's body, wherein the expandable material of the support structure has an un-expanded condition with an un-expanded dimension and an expanded condition with an expanded dimension greater than the un-expanded dimension, 
 wherein the at least one layer of expandable material comprises a first and a second membrane extending radially outward from the outer terminal edge of the body portion, 
 wherein each membrane includes a first inner layer and a second outer layer, wherein the second outer layer of each membrane swells at a rate greater than the first inner layer. 
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the second outer layers of the first and second membranes are made from a hydrogel. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first inner layer of each of the first and second membranes is constructed from a substantially non-absorbable material. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first inner layer of each of the first and second membranes is fabricated from a bio-absorbable mesh fabric. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, comprising:
 a) an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, the anvil being selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and 
 b) a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure including a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft, the body having an outer terminal edge, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at least at the outer terminal edge of the body, the at least one layer of expandable material comprising a first and a second membrane extending radially outward from the outer terminal edge of the body, wherein the support structure has an un-expanded condition with an un-expanded dimension and an expanded condition with an expanded dimension greater than the un-expanded dimension; 
 wherein the support structure has an undeployed condition wherein the first and second membranes are rolled-up towards the body to define the un-expanded dimension, and a deployed condition wherein the first membrane extends in a substantially distal direction from the body and the second membrane extends in a substantially proximal direction from the body to define the expanded dimension. 
 
     
     
       25. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, comprising:
 an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, the anvil being selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and 
 a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure including a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft; the body having an outer terminal edge, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at least at the outer terminal edge of the body, the at least one layer of expandable material comprises a first and a second membrane extending radially outward from the outer terminal edge of the body, wherein the support structure has an un-expanded condition with an un-expanded dimension and an expanded condition with an expanded dimension greater than the un-expanded dimension; 
 wherein each membrane includes a first inner layer and a second outer layer, and the second outer layer of each membrane swells at a rate greater than the first inner layer.